It is October and the semester is in full swing. Actually, it is more than in full swing; you have come to the midpoint, yay! As much as you may want to celebrate with Netflix and food, why not get out and move?

I was once in all of your shoes. I too was an undergrad indulging a bit too much a bit too often. I consumed way too much junk food, was far too sedentary, didn’t choose the healthiest options, and ate at the worst times of the day. (Late night study sessions? Cookies, candy and chips at 3:00 a.m. while you study for your Human Biology exam? Yes, I remember.)

How can you keep yourself going, moving, active and engaged? Well, I have compiled a delightful list for you chock-full of local free fitness options to help you fight the freshman (or sophomore, junior, senior, no discrimination here) fifteen. Whether you enjoy hiking, yoga, running, biking or aerobics, I think you will find something you could at least try once—if it is free, why not?

To my fellow yogis, the free ninety-nine and cheap options abound.

With the presumably flexible schedule commonplace for undergraduates you could probably attend each and every one of these classes (I can’t hide my jealousy).

– Bikram Yoga Main Line located in Berwyn offers a free hot yoga class on Friday’s at 12:00 p.m.

– Lululemon in Ardmore offers a free yoga class on Sunday’s at 10:30 a.m.—BYOM (bring your own mat).

– Maha Yoga also in Ardmore has a “Yogahour” drop-in class on Saturday’s at 10:45 a.m. for $8.

– Prana House Yoga Studio located in Haverford offers a College Student Semester Pass (Sept-Dec or Jan-May) for $250.

– Hot Box Yoga in Manayunk (a little bit more travel involved) offers a one hour pay-what-you-can class for all you early risers on Monday-Friday mornings at 6:00 a.m. They also offer a $7 all levels class, check the schedule for dates/times: http://www.hotboxyoga.com/manayunk-schedule.

Now, go get your Namaste on.

For all my non-yogi friends …

– Barre3 in Berwyn and Barre3 in Rosemont both offer free instructor in training classes. Yes. Completely free. They tend to post the free instructor in training classes last minute, so be sure to check the schedule for dates/times or follow the Rosemont and Berwyn studios on Facebook for updates.

– Lululemon in Ardmore has a free group fitness class “sweat/ with/ a / group” on Wednesday’s at 7:00 p.m. Check the website for full details: http://www.lululemon.com/stores/us/ardmore/ardmore.

– CrossFit Main Line, with locations in both Ardmore and Wayne, gives a free first week and offers student discounts.

– Anytime Fitness just down the road on Lancaster Ave provides a free one-week trial. They have yoga, kickboxing, spin classes and more. They offer student discounts, too.

Local nature trails

Multi-use trail in RCSP/Photo by Laura Hutelmyer

Ridley Creek State Park

Want to hit the trails for a hike, bike ride, or run? Ridley Creek State Park in Media offers 13 miles of hiking trails and 5 miles of biking/running/walking/jogging trails. For FREE.

Valley Forge National Historical Park

Vista atop Mt. Joy/Photo by Molly Quinn, LAS ’15

Have you been to Valley Forge National Historical Park yet? If not, you should go, not only because of all of the history (it is the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War) but because there are over 18.2 miles of authorized bike trails (cool!) and you can hike Mount Misery (my personal favorite). Check the website for trail maps and more details: http://www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm

Article by Laura Matthews, Library Events Coordinator.